Guess what

Mr Leah found an article on the Guardian about my brother's great-grandfather. 

He told me it would make an interesting story so here it is.

A long time ago, before the First World War, my great-grandfather and his brothers were born: Harold, Leonard, and John Walter. Sneaky Leonard borrowed a book from the university library St Bee's and never gave it back! Now, this book was found and returned 113 years late, breaking a record of the longest overdue return, so don't feel bad if you forget it one week. 

Now what is interesting is that Leonard had extremely poor eyesight, like really bad eyes and he needed glasses, so when he went to war, he survived and sent letters for some time, telling how terrible it was and that he hated it,  but one day as he was crossing the trenches in the midst of winter and the moon shining bright, Willie Fell one of the soldiers with him said "Now if you don't keep yourself down...", because guess what, his glasses where reflecting the moonlight+he was a very tall guy. Half an Hour later he was shot dead by a German.

Indeed not very fun, but someone who did have fun was his brother John Walter, that man loved war, we have letters from him saying how much he appreciated killing Germans here is an extract: " I am writing this short letter before the excitement begins, as to-night at 3.0 a.m. we march off, fully armed, for well, I suppose I can't tell you, but it is very exciting and you will probably see it all in the papers in a day or two." well he also died.

Luckily my great grandfather Harold was a chaplain during the war so he didn't die! Otherwise, I wouldn't exist and you wouldn't be reading this great article.

look at those glasses 

comment if you appreciated this great article👍👍😜😎

Why is the The Lord of the Rings Trilogy one of the best of all time ? (My opinion)

 Hi Charlie ! Today i wanted to talk about one of the trilogy i love the most : The Lord of the Rings !!

Intro: 

 J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, consisting of "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King," is a landmark in fantasy literature that has captivated readers and viewers alike. Released between 1954 and 1955, the books tell the epic tale of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring and must embark on a perilous journey to destroy it. This story has been brought to life in an incredible way through Peter Jackson's film adaptations.

What I love most about the movies is how they capture the essence of Tolkien’s world. The stunning landscapes of New Zealand perfectly represent Middle-earth, creating a visually breathtaking backdrop for the adventure. The attention to detail in the costumes, set designs, and special effects immerses viewers in a world filled with elves, dwarves, and orcs, making it feel real and vibrant.

The characters are another highlight. Each one has depth and complexity, from the wise Gandalf to the brave Aragorn, and especially the loyal Samwise Gamgee, whose friendship with Frodo is both heartwarming and inspiring. The films emphasize themes of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice, making it easy to connect with the characters and their struggles.

Additionally, the emotional weight of the story is heightened by Howard Shore’s incredible score. The music enhances pivotal moments, making battles more intense and emotional scenes even more poignant. I find myself moved by the soundtrack, which has become iconic in its own right.

Overall, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy stands out not just for its storytelling but for its ability to transport us to another world. It teaches valuable lessons about perseverance and the importance of camaraderie, making it a timeless epic that resonates with students and audiences everywhere. Whether in book or film form, this trilogy continues to inspire and entertain new projets like a new serie called "The rings of power" on prime video (2022) 

I hope you all enjoyed this article ! Byeee ! 

Eline 

In praise of Kafkaesque works

 Hello Charlie!

During the holidays I discovered an author which is now one of my favourites ones; Haruki Murakami! What attracted me in his writings was the eerie and kind of Kafkaesque writing style he has. I am a huge fan of Kafka (you can consider him my main man as a matter of fact). 

Kafkaesque is a literary genre to which people started referring to when a work has that unique out of this world and almost daunting sort of vibes that Kafka's work has. People can often find this kind of works incomprehensible and illogical, but I believe that is the beauty and comfort in them

So here are some recommendations of authors and books that are kafkaesque;

- Haruki Murakami, a japanese author whose most noticeable works are Kafka on the Shore, 1Q84 and Norwegian Woods. Sadly I haven't yet read Norwegian Woods but I can say that his others works are magnificent! The ties that progressively build up between characters in his books companied of random events that will either make wonder what in hell what he thinking when he wrote that or stare in astonishment are worth the 500+ pages books! I also recommend Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage if you want an easier and funnier read, it is a bit heart-breaking as well. I must warm you all that the descriptions of women and sexual scenes in his books are definitely special and a bit uncomfortable but if you skip them and pretend the subtle misogyny in them don't exist is a great author!

- The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Now, this has become my favourite novel by far, I must highlight the absolute absurd aspect of this book. Personally I like reading books without knowing the synopsis, I prefer knowing the praises or prizes or the themes it treats, and I recommend doing the same with this book! Not knowing a single thing about the story adds depth to the already deeply complicated story and the randomness of some scenes will be enjoyed more!(you may notice as well how Ishiguro is slowly becoming a main man of mine!)

Sadly, that is all for the moment, I am working my way though on works written by women and will try to read Ottesa Mospegh as soon as I can.

I anyone has any recommendations I will very gladly accept them!

Thank you for reading my post :)

Best Gossip Girl locations in New York !

Hey Charlie, hey upper east siders , I have the biggest news ever.

Today we are going to be breaking down 3 of the most iconic places of your favorite show , let’s get started !

We’re starting off strong with the very first place shown in the show : 

Grand central terminal , 89 E 42nd St , New York

Located in Midtown Manhattan , Grand Central is the southern terminus of the Metro-North-Railroad's Harlem, Hudson and New heaven Lines, serving the northern parts of the New York metropolitan areas.

The place has a very special architecture, including Beaux-arts designs.

Grand central is one of the world’s ten most visited tourist attractions with 21 million visitors in 2018, featured in television, films & series like in Gossip Girl.

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 It is one of the most important places to visit as a G&G Fan.

The come back of the one and only Serena Van Der Woodsen after she had mysteriously disappeared for some boarding school. How interesting? 

Tanks Mel for the photo

Let’s continue with ; The metropolitan Museum, 1000 5th avenue , New York.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also referred to as the Met, is an encyclopedic museum in New York cityt is the fourth largest museum in the world and the largest museum in the americas

With 5.36 million visitors in 2023, it is the most visited museum in the USA.

In 2000, its permanent collection had over two million works; it currently lists a total of 1.5 million works.The collection is divided into 17 curatorial departments.

The met was founded in 1870 with its mission to bring art and art education to the American people. 

In G&G the stairs of the met is where Queen B ( Blair Waldorf ) hangs out with her minions before class.

In this precise photo little J hands her the invitations she made for THE Blair’s kiss on the lips party ,trust me you don’t wanna miss this party.

And last but not least, Central Park .

Central Park is a beautiful urban park between the Upper West side and upper east side neighborhoods of Manhattan in NYC that was the first landscaped park in the United States.

The creation was first proposed in the 1840s and the construction began in 1857.

Most importantly, Central Park and to be exact, Bethesda Terrace is where Blair Waldorf and Chuck bass got married in the very last season of the show , episode 10 named « New York, I Love You XOXO. »

After years of tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship , our two lovers finally decided to get married amidst a major crisis. They finally got their happily ever after .

The show’s glamorous description of Manhattan’s elite with the ongoing mystery of Gossip Girl’s identity has won the hearts of millions of fans from 2007 to nowadays.

                                                                                                 XOXO G&G

                                                                                                   ( I wish )

The Transformative Power of Kundalini Yoga: A Journey of Awakening

Hi charlie!! 

Kundalini is often referred as "the yoga of awareness". Indeed , yoga Kundalini is not just a type of exercise, it is a profund practice of awakening kundalini energy that integrates mind, body and soul. Yoga kundalini originally derives of Kundalini that can be defined in tantra as ernergy that lies within the body, usually at the base of the spine or at the navel.

In this blog, we'll explore what Kundalini Yoga is ,how it works and the profound benefits it offers for those seeking more than just physical well-being.

What Is Kundalini Yoga?

Originally, Kundalini Yoga is made of the practice of: breathing techniques (pranayama), postures (asanas), meditation, and chanting of mantras that activates the body's energy system due to creating a dynamic practice of it. The main goal is to awaken the Kundalini energy, often symbolized as a serpent coiled at the base of the spine, and guide it through the seven chakras (energy centers) to the crown of the head. 

Kundalini focuses on the development of consciousness and on the flow of the energy, instead of focusing on relaxation, flexibility or strenght like the other forms of yoga.

The Benefits of Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga offers a wide range of physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. While many people come to yoga for physical fitness, Kundalini Yoga offers something more profound: it helps to bring balance, harmony, and a deeper connection to our inner self.

1. Physical Health
   It strenghtens the body: Kundalini Yoga involves a combination of dynamic movements, static poses (asanas), and repetitive motions. It improves Flexibility: Many poses are about stretching. The practice also promotes detoxification through the breath, allowing the body to release toxins.

2. Mental Clarity
   Kundalini has the ability to release stress and clear and calm the mind. Breathwork, meditation, and chanting can help reduce anxiety, improve focus... The mind becomes sharper, like, making decisions become easier because you're listening more to your intuition.

3. Emotional Balance                                                                                                                  Kundalini Yoga helps emotional healing. By working through the chakras,                                      you can release stored emotional pain and trauma, allowing for deep personal transformation. 

thank you for reading my blog!!

The Friendly RPG Where Nobody Has To Die

Toby Fox · Fallen Down (Reprise)

Hello Charlie ! Let me introduce you today to a game who’s 9th anniversary was less than a week ago (09.15.2015) and who had a huge impact on the Internet.

WHAT IS UNDERTALE EVEN ABOUT ?

In a world where humans and monsters share earth and sky as home, a war broke out between the two races.

The war was won by humans and as a levy, monsters were banished by humans from living on the surface. This led to the creation of a subterranean world called the Underground, where the monsters would live in hopes of seeing the sun again.

You, as a human child, accidentally fall from a mountain and find yourself in this world. Your goal is to avoid conflict with the monsters you meet on your path and to make it back to the surface safely. That will not be an easy task, as the monsters need a human soul to break the magic seal trapping them underground…

UNDERTALE AS A GAME

Undertale knows it’s position as a game and does not hesitate to use it to it's advantage. In most Role-Playing Games (RPGs), your goal is simple : Gain experience by fighting to make your level higher. Undertale twists this narrative by giving a whole new combat system :

You now have the choice to SPARE or KILL monsters, and each choice will be remembered by the game. Everything you do, every action and interaction you have will not be forgotten and will play a central part in the way the story goes out, so it's up to you if you want to make it back home by making new friends or assassinating every being on your way.

UNDERTALE AS A STORY

Undertale is a story about morality, oppression and the cycle of vengeance, about whether or not the end justifies the means. The story is insanely immersive and the characters, with their brilliantly crafted diverse personalities are unforgettable in so many ways.

Of course, the story and behaviors of the characters depend on your actions and depending on what you do or who you kill, your impact on the Underground will differ.

OVERALL

Undertale has affected me and internet as a whole in very unexpected ways. It’s new gameplay mechanics paired with it’s diverse characters, stupid puns and tragic story has left an impact on a great amount of people. Robert "Toby" Fox (The creator, writer and composer)’s amazing writing and humor made this game an incredible experience and made it in multiple awards (like it’s nomination for the British Academy Game Awards for Best Story)

Undertale is also very known for it's incredibly popular soundtrack, which you MUST’VE have heard if you spent any time on the internet.(I am so serious, when playing the game for the first time I would point at my screen every second and yell “OH SO THAT’S WHERE THAT SONG IS FROM!!!!")

Thank you for reading this post ! I hope you enjoyed it, because I know I did enjoy writing it. Please do leave a comment whether it is to give your opinion on this review or just to talk about Undertale. I'm all ears when it comes to talking about Undertale trust me.

Assets and images used in this post are from Undertale and belong to the Undertale team and Toby Fox

The 5 greatest Premier League managers of all-time

 

The 5 greatest Premier League managers of all-time

Hi Charlie, today I am going to talk about the 5 GREATEST MANAGERS OF ALL TIME IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE. Before I start to talk about the managers, I would like to precise that it is my opinion so I hope I don't enter on a football debate.

Managing a club at the highest level requires a manager to not just be tactical but to also have the ability to demonstrate leadership in the dressing room.

There have been instances in football in which tacticians that were clever have fallen short against pure courage and determination.

In order to succeed, a manager needs to have a good team and great strategies.

The Premier League (PL) has been home to some of the greatest players but also the best coaches of all time.

From a man who guided his club to the title without losing any game in an entire season to someone who got his club to a hundred points on the table, the PL have seen some of the very best in action.

So, who makes the top 5?

5. Claudio Ranieri

In 2015-16, before the start of the season people were sure that the PL champion was going to be either Manchester City or Chelsea.

Manchester United, under Louis Van Gaal were also tipped by many to go for the title

However, on the end of the season, Leicester City, a small club under Claudio Ranieri realised one of football's greatest achievements.

Ranieri’s unbelievable achievement won him the Premier League Manager of the Year, LMA Manager of the Year, European Coach of the Year and BBC Sports Personality of the Year (coach) awards. It also won him the best FIFA Football Coach award.

He might not be the PL greatest manager but he certainly achieved one of the best feats.

4. Jose Mourinho

Jose Morinho is considered as one of the best coach of PL because with Chealsea he broke the 2 dominating club: Man U and Arsenal.

He won 3 PL with Chealsea but also won four league Cups and one Europa League with Chealsea and Man U.

His Chealsea team holds the record of conceding t
he least goals in PL (15).

A legend of the game and the PL.

3. Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger spent 22 years at Arsenal, winning three league titles and seven FA Cups.

Wenger, similar to Mourinho, revolutionished the PL. He was the first manager to pay attenton to nutrition and fitness and the imapct they had on players during a season.

Going unbeaten for the entire season, which the Gunners did in 2003-2004, is still something no team in the PL has match and probably never will.

2. Pep Guardiola 

Pep Guardiola signed for Manchester city in 2016. Since then he has won six Premier League title, 2 FA Cup, 4 Carabao Cup, 3 Community Shield but also the Champions League the Super Cup and the Club world cup.

The Spanish coach has dominated the league, consistenly getting 90 points or more and reaching the 100 milestone in the 2017-18 season. On top of that, he won the treble with City in the 22-23 season.

With Pep on the team, it does not look like City will be slowing down any time soon.

1. Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson is arguably the best PL manager of all time. He won with Man U 13 PL titles, five FA cups and four league cups domestically. He also won two CL trophies, one Super Cup and one club world cup. 

Ferguson also won the treble with Manchester United.

He is famous because he managed to beat Liverpool's PL record of 18 titles.

He also created one of the best players of all time: Cristiano Ronaldo.

                        

                               AND HERE WERE THE 5 GREATEST MANAGER OF ALL TIME!!!

                           (I HOPE I DIDN'T DISAPPOINT THE LIVERPOOL AND MESSI FANS).

Why you NEED to watch Friends

 Hi Charlie ! Today I'm writing about my favorite TV show of all time : Friends. This article is for those who haven't watched it to convince you to do it and for those who already watch it to convince you to watch it again. For those who watch it, use unagi because there are a lot of references! 

To start, Friends is a TV show about six friends of thirty years old and all their sentimental adventures. The main characters are all related to each other and have their own special personality, so you have a hundred percent chance to recognize yourself through one or many of them. Let's meet them from the right to the left. 

To start we have Chandler Bing (played by Matthew Perry. Rest in peace). He is desperate for love and he makes jokes when he is uncomfortable. Then Rachel Green (played by Jennifer Anniston). She was a rich girl and decided to quit everything (because she didn't want to be a shoe but a hat). Now let's meet Ross Geller or doctor monkey (played by David Shwimzer). He is a paleontologist and loves dinosaurs but no one listens to him. He is divorced and has a terrible love life. Monica Geller (played by Courteney Cox), Ross's sister, is a cook. She is a perfectionist and loves to clean everything all the time. Joey Tribianni (played by Matt Leblanc) is the very attractive friend and loves to eat. He is an actor and cares a lot about all of his friends and family. And finally Phoebe Buffay is played by Lisa Kuddrow. She had a hard childhood but keeps smiling. She believes in spirits, ghosts and power, she is a musician and likes smelly cats.   

You need to watch Friends not only for the characters. This TV show is also very funny with iconic lines you'll never forget. There are hilarious jokes all the time and for all ages. You can watch it with your family, your friends and even alone. In Friends you will follow crazy adventures with love, fun, all sorts of animals and you will go through all emotions. It's a comfort show, there are episodes for when you're sad, happy, need to laugh or just when you are bored. The story is unbelievable and you'll want to binge watch it! 

Friends has an amazing cast I wrote about earlier but also has special guests! During the show you'll meet Brad Pitt, Julia Robert, Robin Williams and much more. 

If you're a fan of the 90's just go for it I promise you'll not be disappointed.